Venting device

• US 7,597,114 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Lappin, Thomas H., Buckingham, David G., Elzib, Fawaz M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRICE, CRAIG JAMES
• Application Number:
  US11/373,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20070209714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 137/429, 137/430, 137/433, 137/197, 137/583, 553/854, 553/20, 555/10, 746/06.R
• US Class Current: 137/433
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/044 the float being rigidly connected to the valve element, the assembly of float and valve element following a substantially translational movement when actuated, e.g. also for actuating a pilot valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7423 Rectilinearly traveling float
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7436 Float rigid with valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A venting device including one or more seals, one or more floats, and a cap is provided. The one or more seals and the one or more floats are encapsulated by the cap. The venting device further includes a passage, which allows intake and exhaust of air from a driveline component. The one or more floats are capable of moving from a first position to a second position in the passage. The one or more seals close the passage when the one or more floats are at the second position, thereby restricting intake of water in the driveline component.

Claims

1. A venting device comprising:

a base having first and second ends with one of the first and second ends connected to a driveline component and the base having, a first internal vent through-passage formed therein extending from the first end to the second end;

a tube formed of a tubular sidewall having a first and second ends with a second internal vent through-passage disposed therein with one of the first and second tube ends attached to the base with the second internal vent passage in the tube in fluid flow communication with the first internal vent passage in the base;

a cap attached to the other one of the first and second ends of the base and permitting fluid flow therebetween with the cap surrounding an end of the tube and comprising a sidewall attached to the base enclosing the tube in an enclosure defined between the cap and the base and an endwall with at least one internally disposed transversely or radially extending rib that spaces the other one of the first and second tube ends from the cap endwall permitting fluid flow between the tube and the cap end wall;

a passage defined by a space between the cap and the tube, the passage routing intake and exhaust air between the driveline component that is one of a front axle, a rear axle, a transmission and a transfer case and an external environment;

a float movable between a first position and a second position, the float moving to the second position in response to a liquid flow into the passage from the external environment;

a seal coupled to the float so that the seal closes the passage when the float is moved to the second position preventing the liquid flow from reaching the driveline component; and

wherein the at least one internally disposed rib in the cap prevents buckling of the seal when the float is moved to the second position.

2. The venting device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter disposed within the first internal vent passage in the base that is configured to separate oil and particulates from air flowing through the vent passage.

3. The venting device according to claim 1, wherein the base further comprises at least one float-rest, the float having a cavity formed in one end, and the at least one float-rest allowing water to enter the cavity in the float.

4. The venting device according to claim 3, wherein the base further comprises at least one error-proofing-tab that cooperates with the at least one float preventing the at least one float from being assembled upside down.

5. The venting device according to claim 1, wherein the float has a seal retainer that attaches the seal to the float, and the end of the tube has an overhang that receives the seal retainer when the float is moved to the second position.

6. The venting device according to claim 1, wherein the float is made of plastic.

7. The venting device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is made of rubber.

8. A venting device comprising:

a base connected to a driveline component and having a hollow passage for routing intake and exhaust air between the driveline component and an external environment outside the venting device;

a tube having an internal passage communicating with the hollow passage of the base;

a cap having an endwall from which a tubular sidewall extends outwardly surrounding a portion of the tube with the cap attached to the base adjacent an open end thereof;

a passage defined by a space between the cap and the portion of the tube, the passage having one end communicating with the internal passage of the tube and another end communicating with the external environment;

a float disposed between the cap and the tube that is movable relative to the cap and the tube between a first position and a second position, the float moving to the second position in response to a liquid flow into the passage from the external environment outside the venting device;

a seal attached to the float that closes the passage when the float is moved to the second position opposing the liquid flow from entering the driveline component;

wherein the tube has an elongate tubular sidewall having one end that is attached to the cap endwall and that comprises an outwardly extending flange with an outer peripheral overhang lip spaced from the tube sidewall defining a gap therebetween and having an opposite end attached to the base;

wherein the float comprises an outwardly extending seal retainer finger that is received in the gap between the overhang lip and tube sidewall with the overhang lip bearing against the seal when the float is disposed in the second position; and

wherein the driveline component comprises one of a front axle, a rear axle, a transmission, and a transfer case.

9. The venting device according to claim 8 further comprising a filter disposed within the hollow passage to separate oil and particulates from air flowing through the hollow passage.

10. A driveline assembly comprising:

an axle assembly having a vent port; and

a venting device connected to the vent port, the venting device comprising;

a base having a first end and a second end connected to the axle assembly, the base further having a hollow passage extending from the first end to the second end for muting intake air to and exhaust air from the axle assembly;

a tube formed of a tubular sidewall having an internal passage therein communicating with the hollow passage in the base;

a cap supporting and surrounding a portion of the tube with the cap comprising a tubular sidewall extending outwardly from an endwall that has at least one internally disposed rib from which one end of the tube extends permitting fluid flow between the one end of the tube and the cap endwall;

an outer passage defined between the cap and the portion of the tube, the outer passage communicating with the internal passage of the tube;

a float movable between a first position and a second position, the float moving to the second position in response to a liquid flow into the outer passage; and

a seal coupled to the float so that the seal closes the outer passage when the float is moved to the second position preventing liquid flow into the axle assembly;

wherein the cap engages the base and houses the float and the seal;

wherein the one end of the tube comprises an outwardly extending flange with an outer peripheral overhang lip spaced from the tube sidewall defining a gap therebetween and having an opposite end attached to the base; and

wherein the float comprises a seal retainer that is received in the gap between the overhang lip and tube sidewall with the overhang bearing against the seal when the float is disposed in the second position.

11. The driveline assembly according to claim 10, wherein the venting device further comprises a filter disposed inside the hollow passage in the base to separate oil and particulates from air flowing through the hollow passage in the base.

12. The driveline assembly according to claim 10, wherein the axle assembly is one of a front axle and a rear axle.